Linn County passes data center moratorium
The Linn County Board of Supervisors approved an 18-month moratorium on data center development in rural parts of the county, lasting until January 1, 2028. This pause is intended to allow the county to better understand data center impacts and update its existing zoning ordinance. The moratorium does not affect existing projects by Google and QTS in Cedar Rapids or development in incorporated cities.
The Linn County Board of Supervisors in Iowa approved an 18-month moratorium on new data center developments in unincorporated parts of the county. The decision, made in a 2-1 vote with Supervisors Brandy Z. Meisheid and Kirsten Running-Marquardt voting in favor and Sami Scheetz against, allows the county to assess the impact of data centers and update its existing ordinances.
The moratorium, which will be in effect until January 1, 2028, specifically excludes existing data center campuses by Google and QTS in Cedar Rapids, as well as new developments within incorporated cities like Palo. Meisheid stated that the board needs time to gather accurate data to make informed decisions and ensure the community can sustain such developments.
Charlie Nichols, director of Linn County Planning and Development, explained that moratoriums are temporary planning tools designed to facilitate studies and regulatory updates. Separately, the Linn County Board of Supervisors has also finalized a new zoning code specifically for large-scale data center projects in unincorporated areas, indicating a broader effort to regulate future development.